Effects of Sulfur Fertilization on Soybean Root and Leaf Traits, and Soil Microbial Activity

• Published in: Journal of plant nutrition Vol. 31; no. 1-3; pp. 473 - 483
• Main Authors: Zhao, Y, Xiao, X, Bi, D, Hu, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, NJ Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2008; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; catalase; catechol oxidase; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; chlorophyll; chlorophyll content; crop yield; Economic plant physiology; fertilizer rates; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Glycine max; leaves; Metabolism; Metabolism. Physicochemical requirements; microbial activity; Microbiology; Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; phosphoric monoester hydrolases; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Plant physiology and development; root growth; root nodules; root systems; roots; Soil enzyme activity; Soil microorganism; soil microorganisms; Soil science; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soybean; soybeans; Sulfur; sulfur fertilizers; urease; Microbial activity; Plant nodule; Soybean; Enzymatic activity; Plant nutrition; Soil microorganism; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Soil science; Sulfur; C3-Type; root nodules; Non metal; Chlorophyll; Soil enzyme activity; Root; Property of soil; chlorophyll content; Glycine max; Biological activity; Grain legume; Soils; Leguminosae; Photosynthetic pigment; Content; Vegetative apparatus; Sulfur fertilization; Soil biology; Soil organisms; Spermatophyta; Microorganism; Oil plant (vegetal)
• ISSN: 0190-4167; 1532-4087
• DOI: 10.1080/01904160801895001

A pot experiment was implemented to study effects of sulfur (S) fertilization on soybean root and leaf traits and soil microbial activity in 2004 and 2005. In this experiment, three different treatments were established: 0 mg· kg- 1(CK), 30 mg· kg- 1(A), and 60 mg· kg- 1(B). The results showed that an application of elemental sulfur significantly increased the number of soybean side roots by 8.6% to 33.2% and dry weight by 6.6% to 34.3%, increased the root nodules number by 2.7% to 35.9%, and dry weight by 13.0% to 75.7%, increased chlorophyll content in leaves by 0.4 to 3.9 unit, and increased soybean yield per plant by 7.3% to 12.8%, compared with the control. The application of elemental sulfur also increased the amount of soil microorganism (bacterium, fungi and actinomycete), activity of catalase, urease, neutral phosphatase, and polyphenoloxidase in the same growth stage significantly. The above results showed sulfur supply could promote the growth of soybean, increase the yield, and enhance soil microbial activity. Thirty mg· kg- 1 was the suitable rate of sulfur for achieving the highest yield.